Telemark Talk / Telemark Tips Forum

So I pretty much ski flat/rolling terrain ) and I don't think the Asnes Borge Ousland would hold up very well in a steeper touring setting or any sort of resort usage. does anybody have thoughts on what would be a good option for me to use as a telemark or occasional resort ski. I've been looking at something like the Asnes rabb 68 or combat NATO, but I would like to also get something cheaper than those are and preferably used to make that price stay lower.

Boot/Ski/Binding recommendations would be great. If the rabb68 or NATO are really that good, I'd pay the price to get them but I feel like I could easily get something cheaper considering how little I will actually be able to use these skis right now

Did you end up getting one of these skis? I'm in the same area, we finally got some snow!

SE MI I have a Falketind Xplore and a Gamme. I really don’t understand the original poster’s question, do you want a ski that tours and turns, where you want to cover distance, but you cover distance connecting downhill turns. Are you looking for a good touring ski that excels in deep snow, but nonetheless is an excellent all around touring ski.
The Combat NATO is a great touring ski, but it certainly isn’t a ski to go to the resort. Yes, people do take NATO’s to the ski hill. That doesn’t make it a “good” ski to take to the ski hill.
@lilcliffy has had some positive reviews of the Rabb 68. He likes its touring prowess, and its downhill capabilities. It would be fine for occasional use at the ski hill. However keep in mind, that the Rabb and the Falketind I ski are lightweight touring skis. While they can handle resort conditions, resorts have some conditions that aren’t ideal for a touring ski. These skis have poplar/carbon cores. A light resort ski might be poplar/birch with glass reinforcement, maybe a rubber foil damper. Heavier resort skis still have titanal layers.
So the first thing to decide is what type of ski you are looking for. The skis listed are really quite different. However both are nice skis.

raac900 wrote: ↑

Sun Jan 07, 2024 3:58 pm

in a steeper touring setting or any sort of resort usage. does anybody have thoughts on what would be a good option for me to use as a telemark or occasional resort ski. I've been looking at something like the Asnes rabb 68 or combat NATO,

Hello and welcome raac900!
Let me make sure I am getting this right-

You are looking for help in getting a downhill touring ski that would also work at a groomed ski hill?
What are the typical ski hill conditions? Hard, icy snow?

I don't think the Combat Nato is what you think it is. The Ingstad is based on it, has rocker, and is a fine telemark/BC ski. Its also cheaper than the FT62 or Raab 68 from Varuste.com.

lilcliffy wrote: ↑

Sun Jan 21, 2024 1:26 pm

raac900 wrote: ↑

Sun Jan 07, 2024 3:58 pm

in a steeper touring setting or any sort of resort usage. does anybody have thoughts on what would be a good option for me to use as a telemark or occasional resort ski. I've been looking at something like the Asnes rabb 68 or combat NATO,

Hello and welcome raac900!
Let me make sure I am getting this right-

You are looking for help in getting a downhill touring ski that would also work at a groomed ski hill?
What are the typical ski hill conditions? Hard, icy snow?

Yeah, that is pretty much what I am looking for. New to the scene too so any insight would be helpful. Conditions usually pretty hard and not much powder

The skis you are listing are backcountry cross country skis.

You want more of a downhill ski. If you are skiing in leather, the old 70mm waist k2 skis work great.

JB TELE wrote: ↑

Mon Jan 22, 2024 1:17 pm

The skis you are listing are backcountry cross country skis.

You want more of a downhill ski. If you are skiing in leather, the old 70mm waist k2 skis work great.

The Rabb is a backcountry downhill ski that tours. The Asnes versions of this class of skis are quite different than Fischer and Madshus offerings you may be familiar with. The Asnes designs are poplar/carbon cores rather than laminated air cores. Asnes has also been re-engineering these skis over a number of versions. These versions have been much more than topsheet changes.

fisheater wrote: ↑

Mon Jan 22, 2024 4:52 pm

JB TELE wrote: ↑

Mon Jan 22, 2024 1:17 pm

The skis you are listing are backcountry cross country skis.

You want more of a downhill ski. If you are skiing in leather, the old 70mm waist k2 skis work great.

The Rabb is a backcountry downhill ski that tours. The Asnes versions of this class of skis are quite different than Fischer and Madshus offerings you may be familiar with. The Asnes designs are poplar/carbon cores rather than laminated air cores. Asnes has also been re-engineering these skis over a number of versions. These versions have been much more than topsheet changes.

Thanks for the info. I might have to pick up a Rabb next season. I've been looking for an earn your turns type of lightweight backcountry ski that works well with leathers.

I like my Falketind Xplore, but the Rabb most likely is better downhill as it was designed to be just that.
These skis aren’t cheap, if you keep checking Varuste.net you can catch a sale or some discounted “B” grade skis